XN000022-1975-03-21 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1975

MR. PRICE SAID THAT IN THE CASE OF A COOLING-OFF PERIOD ORDER, ANY PERSON WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WOULD BE GUILTY OF CONTEMPT AND MAY BE DEALT WITH AS BEING GUILTY OF CONTEMPT OF THE SUPREME COURT.

*THE BILL HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR DEALING WITH LABOUR DISPUTES INVOLVING TRADE UNIONS OR REPRESENTATIVE GROUPS OF WORKERS, HE SAID.

+THE ILLEGAL STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS ORDINANCE AND THE TRADE DISPUTES ORDINANCE WILL BE REPEALED ON THE LABOUR RELATIONS BILL BECOMING LAW.

HOWEVER, CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE REPEALED ORDINANCES WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE CRIME ORDINANCE AND THE TRADE UNIONS ORDINANCE.+

MR. PRICE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DELIBERATELY AVOIDED THE IMPOSITION OF COMPULSORY SETTLEMENTS.

→OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT ATTEMPTS TO IMPOSE COMPULSORY SETTLEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL, HE SAID.

+SETTLEMENTS HAVE OFTEN BEEN MADE WITHOUT ANY REGARD TO THEIR OVERALL EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY.

THE PROPOSED BILL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC.COMMENT BEFORE IT IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROBABLY IN EARLY MAY.

THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PREPARED A GUIDE TO THE BILL, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.

IT IS AVAILABLE AT ALL LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICES, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

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